Can You Have Two Vehicles Registered In Different States

You usually need to register your machine where you live. But there are exceptions. Find out when it's OK to register in another country.

Generally, your vehicle must be registered in the state where you live. That'due south determined by whatsoever one of the post-obit:

Your chief residence or where you lot live almost of the time
The accost on your driver's license
Your mailing accost for bills and correspondence
Where y'all are registered to vote
The address listed on your federal and state tax returns

But there are some situations in which you can annals your vehicle in another land. Go on reading to learn more.

When to Register Your Car in Another State
When It Is Illegal to Register a Auto in Some other Land
How Do I Register a Vehicle in Another State?
Can I Register a Automobile in One State and Insure It in Some other Land?
Can I Keep My Car Insurance When Moving From One State to Another?
Tin I Register My Machine Without Having Car Insurance?
How to Register a Auto Purchased Out of Country
State Laws for Car Registration for Not-Residents

When to Register Your Car in Another State

Many U.S. residents live in unlike states at different times of the year. From a legal and income tax point of view, you can merely exist a permanent resident of one country.

That means yous should register your automobile in that place. But there are some exceptions. Read on to come across if you're one of these special cases and where y'all should register your vehicle.

Moving Residences
If you permanently move to another land, you must register your vehicle in that land. This applies even if your electric current car registration has not expired.

Simply moving to an out-of-land college campus, temporary armed services assignment, or temporary piece of work assignment does non establish a permanent move.

You are usually allowed a certain time period to register your vehicle after you relocate to a new country (more on that below). But one time you lot are considered a resident of the new state, you demand to transfer your vehicle registration.

Depending on the expiration date of your current vehicle registration, you might qualify for a prorated refund. Call to the department of motor vehicles in your quondam country to inquire virtually their refund policy on registration fees.

Working in Another State
Owning a dwelling house in ane state and working more than 184 days in another state makes you a resident of both. In this situation, you can annals your car in either state.

Split Living Arrangements
If you lot own 2 homes in dissimilar states, annals your car in the country where you live the greatest number of days in the year.

One common solution is keeping a car at each home that y'all ain. In this case, you can register the cars in the applicable country.

Consider this case:
You own a home in Connecticut and a condo in Florida. You alive half dozen months in Connecticut and vi months in Florida. You are registered to vote in Connecticut, so this home is your main residence.

You have two cars. One machine was purchased in Connecticut and remains in that state. The other automobile was purchased in Florida and remains at that place. So, register the Connecticut motorcar in the Granite State and the Florida car in the Sunshine State.

Military
If you lot're a member of the military and are stationed in another state, nearly states permit you to retain your home state vehicle registration.

College Students
College students tin annals their machine in their home state. Well-nigh U.S. states allow out-of-state students to retain the vehicle registration of their abode land while living on campus.

When It Is Illegal to Register a Machine in Some other Country

Information technology is illegal to live in 1 land and annals your automobile in another state unless you lot take skillful reason. In full general, the motorcar needs to be registered where it is garaged, which usually means where the owner lives.

Here are some reasons yous cannot annals a automobile in another state:

Registration is cheaper in the state where you work.
Using a friend'southward or family fellow member's address lets you dodge expensive vehicle registration fees, license plate fees, title fees, auto insurance costs, or urban center and state taxes in your home state.
Yous tin can avoid long lines past registering your vehicle in the country yous used to live.
You never changed the accost on your driver's license subsequently a move.

The department of motor vehicles in the state where yous live can provide assistance when you're not sure if information technology is legal to live in one state and register your auto in another.

How Do I Register a Vehicle in Another State?

Earlier registering your car in another country, yous accept to become a new driver'southward license and modify or update your motorcar insurance. You need this data to consummate your vehicle registration and obtain your new license plates.

Follow these steps to register a vehicle in a new country:

Make an appointment at your closest DMV inside the country'due south registration grace catamenia.
Research the state'southward policies on vehicle inspection and schedule an inspection if necessary.
Gather and complete whatever required forms, documentation, and vehicle registration fees. Check the state's website to understand the requirements.
Receive either a temporary registration or your license plates. With a temporary registration, your new license plates volition be mailed to yous.
Check the department of motor vehicles in your previous state to see if yous must return your old license plates. Some states charge you a fee if yous practice not return your plates.
Check to encounter if you demand to send your previous state a change of address form.

If yous are paying a car loan, exist sure to inform your financing company well-nigh your change of accost. You lot may too accept to provide a copy of your new vehicle registration.

Can I Annals a Automobile in One State and Insure Information technology in Some other State?

Machine insurance companies require that your car is registered and insured in the same state. But you may be able to annals a automobile in one state and insure it in another under certain circumstances.

Go along reading to learn more about your options.

Split Living Situations
Y'all can insure 2 vehicles under the aforementioned policy if i of them is stored or has temporary or seasonal insurance on it. This happens when you own two cars and keep one registered in your home state and the other registered in the state where you alive seasonally.

College-aged Children
Parents of a young adult who is moving to a new land tin remain on the parents' auto insurance policy. By and large, this happens when the child is attending an out-of-state schoolhouse. Insurance companies like to see that:

Your child is currently on your insurance.
The car is registered in both your names.
The parent is listed as the primary driver and the child is listed as a secondary driver.

Military machine Assignments
A member of the war machine temporarily stationed in another land for more than 6 months tin can unremarkably keep the vehicle registered in their dwelling state only insured in the country of their current station.

Working or Garaging in Some other Land
If you reside in one country, but either primarily piece of work in another state or garage your vehicle in another land, you may be able to insure the vehicle in the country where it stays. But automobile insurers may address this situation differently—be certain to double-check with yours.

Paying Insurance for an Out-of-Country Family Member
This happens if the auto is registered in that family member'due south name and the policy is issued in the state where they live, just yous are still listed on the auto insurance policy as the billing accost.

Purchasing a Car for a Family unit Member Who Lives in Another State
The car is registered in the family fellow member'south state but insured in your state. Some states allow this if proof of insurance coverage is reported to the family unit member'south state as required. To avoid counterfoil of your insurance policy, be sure your auto insurance visitor is enlightened of the arrangement and has approved it.

You cannot register your vehicle in ane land and insure information technology in another if none of the above situations apply.

Having a car registered in one land and insured in a unlike land without a valid reason is considered fraud. Information technology can lead to:

Voiding your insurance coverage
Policy counterfoil
Causing a claim to be denied past your insurance company

Bank check with your motorcar insurance company if your circumstances telephone call for registering your vehicle in your home country and insuring it in another state.

The bureau that handles vehicle registrations differs from state to country. It might be called the department of motor vehicles, the registry of motor vehicles, the motor vehicle bureau, the division of motor vehicles, or the department of transportation.

Can I Keep My Automobile Insurance When Moving From One State to Some other?

In many instances, your machine insurance policy moves with you to a new state. The exception is if your auto insurer doesn't practice business concern in the state where you lot're moving.

Take these steps to find out if y'all tin can keep your motorcar insurance when moving to a new state:

Call your current insurance company and determine if they provide insurance at your new residence.
Request a quote from your current insurance company with updated coverages, limits, and discounts for your new country.
Obtain quotes from other insurance companies and compare costs to your current insurance company.
Choose the best insurance policy based on coverages and costs.
Cancel your sometime policy if you modify insurers. Exist sure the new policy's effective date begins equally before long as your sometime policy is canceled to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Print the temporary proof of insurance certificate your insurer electronically sends to you lot.

You'll need the temporary proof of insurance to register your car. The new policy and insurance bill of fare generally arrive within a week in the mail service.

Do non abolish your auto insurance coverage until you purchase a new one or update your existing policy.

Tin can I Register My Car Without Having Car Insurance?

No U.South. state allows uninsured vehicles on its roadways. In gild to register a car, proof of car insurance is required.

Many states take minimum insurance coverage requirements. In states without mandated minimums, drivers accept to show proof of self-insurance or fiscal power to pay if an blow occurs.

In some situations, a land may allow you to annals your motorcar and so provide proof of insurance within a sure time frame. If time runs out, your registration will be suspended and you will face penalties.

Registration suspension and penalties are also enforced if you lot abolish your motorcar insurance after registering your vehicle. Most states require auto insurance companies to written report canceled policies to their department of motor vehicles.

How to Register a Car Purchased Out of Land

Yous must register a car in your abode land once the purchase is complete regardless of where you purchase information technology. Y'all likewise pay your state's sales revenue enhancement when you register your vehicle.

You can work with the seller or dealership to get a temporary registration from your home state's motor vehicle section. To obtain a temporary license plate for your new car, you'll need:

A title exchange
Vehicle registration
Insurance paperwork

Remember, it is illegal to bulldoze your newly purchased vehicle from one state to some other until you become its registered owner. Law enforcement officials can impound your vehicle if you cannot show proper vehicle registration and insurance. Read on to larn how to avoid that.

Relieve time and inquiry online before the buy. Check for the rules, regulations, and required paperwork for both the country where you are ownership the vehicle and your home country where y'all are registering it.

Out-of-Land Purchase Checklist

Check with your state'due south motor vehicle department to run into what paperwork is required to transfer the title and register the auto. For case, some states require a electric current emission document or a prepurchase vehicle inspection.
Obtain the signed vehicle's title and other required paperwork before taking the car dorsum to your home state.
Check with the state's motor vehicle section to see if in that location's a lien on the title if it's a private, out-of-state sale. If at that place is, you won't be able to transfer the championship or register the vehicle.
Follow the laws in the state where you lot purchase it to bulldoze the vehicle back to your home state. Some states crave a temporary plate or transportation plate. Most states require the vehicle to exist insured with its minimum liability limits.
Register the automobile with your state's motor vehicle section. You'll need to provide the championship and required vehicle registration paperwork.
Pay your state'southward sales taxation and applicable fees to complete your registration. The state where y'all register the vehicle collects the sales taxation, not the state where you lot buy information technology.

State Laws for Car Registration for Non-Residents

Each U.S. state has motor vehicle laws outlining car registration guidelines for non-residents. Here'due south a brief look at each:

Alabama
Non-residents must annals their vehicle within 30 days of entering the state or by the expiration date of the previous registration tag, whichever comes offset.

Special requirements:

Vehicle must be in Alabama
Title, previous land registration, or certification from previous state
Vehicle inspection, unless owner is a college student or in the military machine

Alaska
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside 10 days of accepting employment in the land. Alaska has no other special requirements.

Arizona
Non-residents must register their vehicle later 7 months of living in the state. This applies to students declaring residency to obtain country tuition rates, too.

Special requirements:

Vehicle must be registered for the current year in whichever country the person resides

Arkansas
Non-residents must register their vehicle after 6 months of residing in the state.

Special requirements:

Non-residents with temporary worker or company permit must register vehicle within 10 days of inbound the state
Permit expires afterward xc days

California
Non-residents must register their vehicle within twenty days after accepting employment or establishing residency in the state.

Special requirements:

Vehicle must be registered if the vehicle is based in the state or used more in California than any other state

Colorado
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside 90 days of condign a resident or accepting employment in the land.

Special requirements:

Supplemental unregistered vehicle surcharge of $25 per month applied later on 90 days
Military personnel on duty do non take to register their machine if information technology'due south registered in another state

Connecticut
Not-residents must register their vehicle within 60 days of becoming a resident in the country.

Special requirements:

Does non apply to military personnel stationed in state with out-of-state license plates

Delaware
No non-resident registration required as long as car is registered and displays license plates of country where owner resides.

Special requirements:

Non-residents can annals their cars in Delaware if they primarily garage them in the state and can show proper documentation to the state section of transportation

District of Columbia
Not-residents must register their vehicle after thirty continuous days of being in D.C.

Special requirements:

Can extend requirement an additional 180 days past paying a fee
Tin can purchase a reciprocity sticker to operate the vehicle in D.C. for 180 days
Armed services personnel do not need to register their out-of-state car

Florida
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside ten days afterwards accepting employment or enrolling a child in a state public school.

Special requirements:

College students can retain their habitation state car registration
Military personnel stationed in Florida can retain their abode state'due south car registration

Georgia
Not-residents must register their vehicle later on residing temporarily in the land more than than 30 days or within 30 days of condign a resident.

Special requirements:

Armed services personnel stationed in Georgia can retain their home state'due south car registration

Hawaii
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside thirty days of operating a vehicle in the land.

Special requirements:

Must obtain an out-of-state vehicle registration allow from the land's managing director of finance
The issued certificate of registration for an out-of-land vehicle is valid for the unexpired portion of your home state's car registration
Military personnel on active duty in Hawaii can retain their home country's car registration

Idaho
No registration required as a non-resident.

Special requirements:

Military personnel stationed in Idaho and higher students can retain their habitation state'south vehicle registration

Illinois
No registration required, every bit long as not-residents take valid vehicle registration from their habitation state.

Special requirements:

Must obtain a valid Illinois reciprocity permit

Indiana
Non-residents must register their vehicle within 60 days of becoming residents in the state.

Special requirements:

Not-residents don't have to annals their car if it is registered in their home state and that country has a reciprocating exemption for Indiana residents
Military personnel on active duty in Indiana tin can retain their home land's car registration

Iowa
Non-residents must register their vehicle as soon every bit they become employed or conduct business organization in the land.

Special requirements:

Not applicable if you lot commute to Iowa from some other state or work seasonally or temporarily in Iowa and your vehicle has a valid home state vehicle registration
Armed services personnel stationed in Iowa can retain their home state's vehicle registration

Kansas
Non-residents must register their vehicle within ninety days of becoming a country resident.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on agile duty in the state can retain their current vehicle registration on a reciprocal footing with their home state
Full-time college students can retain their home state's vehicle registration

Kentucky
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside 15 days unless vehicle is mainly operated in some other land.

Special requirements:

Proof of insurance is required with certificate of registration application
Full-time college students and armed services personnel can retain their home state'due south car registration

Louisiana
Non-residents must register their vehicle inside thirty days of beingness employed in the state.

Special requirements:

War machine personnel on active duty in the state and their spouses tin can retain their out-of-state vehicle registration if the license plates are from their dwelling state, both the registration and license plates are in the active duty fellow member'south name, and there is proof of insurance or financial responsibility

Maine
Non-residents must register their vehicle within xxx days of becoming a state resident. Maine has no other special requirements.

Maryland
Non-residents must register their vehicle within 60 days of becoming a resident.

Special requirements:

Not-residents who own a abode in Maryland for at least 30 days only less than 1 yr must obtain a not-resident'due south permit from the state motor vehicle administration within 10 days subsequently the 30-twenty-four hour period period
Military personnel on active duty in Maryland do not demand to register their vehicles if they are registered in their state of residence

Massachusetts
Not-residents must register their vehicle in any of these situations:

Vehicle is operated in state for more than 30 days in any ane year
When you purchase a home in the state
When y'all become employed in state
Yous own a business organisation in state

Special requirements:

Non-resident college students must file an approved Massachusetts registry of motor vehicles class in triplicate with the local police department that provides: proper noun and accost of the vehicle's owner; names and addresses of all insureds; legal residence of the non-resident; address while attending the Massachusetts college
Armed forces personnel on active duty in Massachusetts can retain the vehicle registration of their habitation state

Michigan
Not-residents must annals their vehicle if operating the vehicle in the state for 90 days or more than.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on active duty in Michigan must register their vehicle in the state within 90 days

Minnesota
Non-residents must annals with a 31-24-hour interval temporary vehicle permit when ownership a vehicle in the state.

Special requirements:

Non-residents registering their cars in Minnesota must provide the vehicle title or registration card from their previous land of residence
The odometer reading must be included on the title and registration awarding if the vehicle is nine years sometime or newer
Military personnel on active duty in Minnesota tin can retain their habitation state's vehicle registration if: the vehicle is properly registered in the owner's name and displays the license plate of the other state; the owner is a resident of the other country; the vehicle is used for personal transportation

Mississippi
Non-residents must register their vehicle after 60 days of operating their car in the land.

Special requirements:

Mississippi car registration is non required for out-of-state students, military personnel, or tourists

Missouri
Non-residents buying a car in Missouri must get a temporary permit from the state department of revenue within 30 days from the purchase date in order to operate it.

Special requirements:

Required permit application must include a description of the vehicle, the manufacturer, and other identifying numbers
Proof of buying and auto insurance are required to receive the permit
Armed services personnel on agile duty in Missouri may retain their habitation state'due south vehicle registration

Montana
Non-residents must annals their vehicle when purchasing a vehicle or temporarily employed in the state.

Special requirements:

Non-residents temporarily employed in the country pay a fee in lieu of taxes to the applicative county
Once the fee is paid, a decal is provided to display on the vehicle'southward windshield
Decals elapse at the end of the twelvemonth, with reregistration required by Feb 15 of each year

Nebraska
Non-residents must register their vehicle afterward 30 days of operating vehicle in the land.

Special requirements:

Exemption applies if non-resident's domicile country grants reciprocal amnesty from such requirements to Nebraska residents

Nevada
Non-residents must register their vehicle within 30 days of establishing residence in the state or before out-of-state registration expires, whichever comes first.

Special requirements:

Tourists, seasonal residents, out-of-state students, and border state employees only need to register their vehicles if they have been driving in the state for more than 30 days
Military personnel on active duty in Nevada may retain their domicile country's vehicle registration

New Hampshire
Not-residents must annals their vehicle within 60 days of establishing residency in the land.

Special requirements:

Non-residents who garage a vehicle exclusively in the land must receive approval from the town or city clerk earlier registering the vehicle

New Jersey
Non-residents must register their vehicle within 60 days afterwards establishing residency in the state. New Jersey has no other special requirements.

New Mexico
Non-residents must register their vehicle after being employed in the state for 30 days or more within a 60-day period unless commuting to New Mexico from their state of residence.

Special requirements:

Non-residents who operate their vehicles in New Mexico for more than 180 days must register them in the country
Not-residents who own a concern in New Mexico and regularly utilise their vehicle in that business must obtain a New United mexican states vehicle registration

New York
Non-residents must register their vehicle within thirty days of becoming a resident.

Special requirements:

When driving in New York, non-residents must prominently display their out-of-state car registration numbers

N Carolina
Non-residents must register their vehicle according to the same requirements equally those extended to state residents.

Special requirements:

Armed services personnel on active duty in North Carolina may retain their habitation country's motorcar registration

Due north Dakota
Not-residents must register their vehicle in North Dakota once becoming residents or existence employed or stationed in the state.

Special requirements:

Must display current registration and license plates from your home state

Ohio
Not-residents must annals their vehicle within 30 days of obtaining employment in the country or condign an Ohio resident.

Special requirements:

War machine personnel on active duty in the state tin retain their home state'southward car registration

Oklahoma
Non-residents must annals their vehicle within 30 days of condign employed in the state.

Special requirements:

Full-time, out-of-state college students practice not need to obtain an Oklahoma vehicle registration
Non-residents with a mobile home or other vehicle must register it if it remains in Oklahoma for more sixty days
Military personnel on active duty in the land may maintain their dwelling house state's motorcar registration

Oregon
Non-residents must register their vehicle after being employed or living in the land for 6 months.

Special requirements:

Residents of an adjoining land with a valid vehicle registration tin can operate a vehicle in Oregon without registering information technology
Military personnel on active duty in Oregon exercise not need to register a vehicle registered in their home state

Pennsylvania
Non-residents must annals their vehicle when using an out-of-land vehicle for conducting business in Pennsylvania or performing transportation services for hire.

Special requirements:

Non-resident vehicles must prominently brandish the registration of their home land
Armed forces personnel on active duty in Pennsylvania can retain their out-of-state motorcar registration

Rhode Island
Non-residents must annals their vehicle xc days afterwards becoming a resident of the state.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on active duty in Rhode Island can retain their home country's vehicle registration

S Carolina
Non-residents must register their vehicle after operating a vehicle in the state for over 45 days or becoming a resident.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on active duty in the country tin can retain their out-of-land car registration

South Dakota
Non-residents must register their vehicle after staying in the state for more than xc days.

Special requirements:

Non-residents must be in compliance with their home country'due south vehicle registration procedures
Vehicle registration must be prominently displayed on the out-of-state vehicle'southward license plate
Military personnel on active duty in Due south Dakota tin retain their dwelling country's motorcar registration

Tennessee
Non-residents must register their vehicle if operating a vehicle in the state for more than 30 sequent days.

Special requirements:

Non-resident owners of mobile homes or house trailers must register them after 60 consecutive days in Tennessee
Military personnel on agile duty in the state may retain their domicile state'due south car registration

Texas
Non-residents must register their vehicle later on making more than 5 occasional trips in a month that exceed 5 days.

Special requirements:

Residents of adjoining states or countries who work or shop in Texas do not need to register their vehicles in the state
Out-of-state, full-time students are exempt from registering their out-of-state vehicles in Texas
Active armed forces personnel are exempt from registering their out-of-state vehicles in Texas every bit long as their dwelling house state registration is current
Non-resident vehicles must take valid license plates

Utah
Non-residents must annals their vehicle within sixty days of being in the state or afterward becoming a Utah resident.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on active duty in the state tin retain their home state's car registration

Vermont
Non-residents must register their vehicle after becoming a resident of the state.

Special requirements:

Military machine personnel on active duty in Vermont tin can retain their home state'due south vehicle registration

Virginia
Non-residents must register their vehicle subsequently vi months of being in the land.

Special requirements:

Non-residents operating their vehicle in the state 4 times in whatsoever ane calendar month must register the vehicle in Virginia
Armed services personnel on active duty in Virginia tin can retain their domicile country's vehicle registration

Washington
Non-residents must register their vehicle afterwards becoming a Washington resident or if their home land does not grant like non-resident vehicle registration privileges to Washington residents.

Special requirements:

Military personnel on active duty in Washington take the option of retaining their home land registration or obtaining a Washington license and registration

W Virginia
Non-residents must register their vehicle after operating the vehicle in the country for more than 30 days.

Special requirements:

Vehicle cannot be operated for commercial purposes
Dwelling land vehicle registration must be current
Out-of-country higher students are exempt from registering their vehicles if they have a valid home country license and registration
Military personnel stationed in West Virginia exercise non have to register their vehicle if it is properly registered in their home state
Not-residents conducting business in the state and owning or operating a company vehicle must take it registered

Wisconsin
Non-residents must register their vehicle after moving to Wisconsin or renting/leasing their vehicle to a Wisconsin resident.

Special requirements:

Registration is required if the non-resident's dwelling state does not provide similar non-resident vehicle registration privileges to Wisconsin residents
Vehicle's license plate must indicate valid domicile country registration
Armed forces personnel on active duty in Wisconsin tin can retain their home state'due south vehicle registration

Wyoming
Non-residents must register their vehicle if employed in the country and non commuting from some other state, vacationing in the state for more than 120 days, or establishing residency in Wyoming.

Special requirements:

Non-resident vehicles must brandish valid registration numbers or plates
Non-resident vehicles cannot exist operated for gain or profit in Wyoming
Out-of-state college students do not have to register their vehicles in Wyoming
Non-residents transporting seasonally employed agricultural workers do not have to annals their vehicles in the state
Military personnel on agile duty in Wyoming tin can retain their home country's car registration

Bottom Line

There are several situations where a car can legally be registered in another state. Simply doing so is against the law in some cases.

To avoid legal and financial consequences, do some inquiry earlier registering a vehicle in a state other than the one where yous live. Almost states take motor vehicle registration laws online and provide the forms to perform motor vehicle registration transactions.

Besides, keep in listen that your vehicle's registration impacts your insurance coverage. Check with your auto insurance visitor for clarification when your auto is registered and insured in unlike states.

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